Kampen: Hanseatic history, city gates and maritime culture

Kampen as a destination for culture and history

If you are considering Kampen as a destination for a hotel stay, you will find a variety of points of interest: the city’s history in its museum and at its city gates, churches and historic buildings, as well as experiences related to shipping and the water. The city’s Hanseatic history takes centre stage on one of the routes; others pass studios and galleries. You can shape your stay around the topics you would like to explore in more depth.

Museum and city history

The collection at the Stedelijk Museum Kampen tells the story of the city from the past to the present. More than 8,300 objects explore Kampen and its surroundings, life along the IJssel, religion and the cigar industry. One especially striking part of the museum is the Schepenzaal: it dates from 1545 and is included in the Canon of Dutch History.

Buildings from different eras also tell their stories beyond the museum collection. The Broederpoort is one of Kampen’s three surviving city gates. It was built in 1465 as part of the city’s fortifications and acquired its distinctive Renaissance appearance in the 17th century. The Cellebroederspoort is one of the two surviving city gates on this side of Kampen. Its name recalls the monastery of the Cellebroeders.

Churches, towers and historic buildings

The Koornmarktspoort is considered Kampen’s oldest city gate and dates from the 14th century. The gate also houses a nautical-themed escape room. The Bovenkerk, also known as St. Nicolaaskerk, is the city’s oldest church: a large Gothic cross basilica from the 14th century. It is known for its acoustics and regularly hosts concerts. As concert programmes change, it is worth checking the dates for your visit.

The Nieuwe Toren is a Rijksmonument dating back three and a half centuries. Its carillon has 48 bells and can be heard regularly. Visitors wishing to climb the tower can do so by arrangement: the climb leads up 163 steps to a view over Kampen. Arrange a date for your climb before your trip.

Another historic building is the Gotisch Huis, built around 1500 as a merchant’s or patrician’s house. About thirty wall-advertising frescoes have also been restored in Kampen. These details add architectural history and historic advertising to the picture of the city, alongside its grand gates and churches.

Shipping and crafts on the IJssel

The Kamper Kogge is an as-authentic-as-possible replica of a 14th-century merchant ship and is considered the only seaworthy cog in the Netherlands. A 75-minute round trip on the ship can be reserved. Before your trip, check whether a reservation and voyage are available for your date. At the Koggewerf, historical storytelling and traditional crafts such as blacksmithing and fish smoking are part of the programme, which may vary.

Various boats, canoes and SUP boards are also available for hire in Kampen. Possible routes include the IJssel, the Ganzediep, and the Reevediep and Drontermeer. Unlike the cog voyage, which has a specified duration, these options feature different types of boats and named waterways. As providers and availability may change, it is advisable to check before making plans.

Routes and landscapes

The Hanzestadswandeling is a self-guided route through the historic city centre that explores Kampen’s Hanseatic history. The Inspiratieroute Kampen offers a different focus: it runs year-round past studios, galleries and other artistic and inspiring places in the historic city centre. The participating locations may change.

Kampen is located in the IJsseldelta National Landscape. Its features include flower-rich floodplains. The city’s history, routes and landscape offer different themes for planning your stay, so you do not have to limit your trip to a single focus.

Mill and insights into craftsmanship

D’Olde Zwarver is the only working grain mill in the municipality of Kampen. On its various floors, visitors can follow the entire process from grain to flour. Groups and companies of ten or more can book a guided tour by arrangement outside regular opening hours. If you are considering a group tour, arrange your booking in advance.

Discover more destinations: Grafhorst, Kamperveen, IJsselmuiden, Zalk.

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